Chevy Engine Red

[David G.]

Hi Everybody,

Happy Independence Day to all my MCM friends in the US!

I received a Monogram '55 Chevy Bel Air Hard Top as a gift yesterday, and I realized that I don't have a good Chevy Engine Red in my standard "paint kit" yet. In the short time since I've started building again, I have yet to paint a Chevy engine.

I would like some recommendations on paints and colors that would work for duplicating that warm red that GM used on their engines back around that time. I prefer Tamiya "TS" type spray cans, but I also use Model Master, Dutch Boy, Krylon, etc. For an engine block "off the shelf" brands like Krylon may even be preferable.

As always, thanks for your time and consideration.

Regards,

David G.

[charlie8575]

Hi, David.

In 1955, Chevy V8s were orange, and the Model Master Chevy Engine orange is a great match. In 1956, the V8s were painted red, and Model Master Chrysler Engine Red isn't too far off for that. It also works well for mid-late '60s Buick V8s.

Chevrolet used orange engines through most of the 1960s in most applications, so it's a good paint to have on hand.

Sixes of the '50s were either gray, or I believe by the mid-late '50s, blue. A nice dark blue will do well for that. The truck V8s of the 1950s, anyway, were yellow. Plain old Testors yellow isn't too far off for that.

That '55 is a nice kit; you'll enjoy it.

Charlie Larkin

[jeffs396]

I use Duplicolor Chevy engine orange from the auto parts store, large can will spray ALOT of 1/25 scale engines, & it's a perfect match (My Impala has it's original engine paint on it).

[Art Anderson]

Hi, David.

In 1955, Chevy V8s were orange, and the Model Master Chevy Engine orange is a great match. In 1956, the V8s were painted red, and Model Master Chrysler Engine Red isn't too far off for that. It also works well for mid-late '60s Buick V8s.

Chevrolet used orange engines through most of the 1960s in most applications, so it's a good paint to have on hand.

Sixes of the '50s were either gray, or I believe by the mid-late '50s, blue. A nice dark blue will do well for that. The truck V8s of the 1950s, anyway, were yellow. Plain old Testors yellow isn't too far off for that.

That '55 is a nice kit; you'll enjoy it.

Charlie Larkin

I have been under the impression that the first two years of Chevy small block V8's were painted red, not orange, with Chevy Engine Orange debuting in 1957, on the new 283 ('57 Chevy 265's were a bright lemon yellow that year, the last year for the 265), and then orange for the next 20yrs or so.

But perhaps I have been wrong about that?

Art

[Agent G]

I use Duplicolor Chevy engine orange from the auto parts store, large can will spray ALOT of 1/25 scale engines, & it's a perfect match (My Impala has it's original engine paint on it).

DITTO

G

[Harry P.]

I have been under the impression that the first two years of Chevy small block V8's were painted red, not orange...

Art

Is it orange or red???

[bill w]

I've always been told it's orange!

Bill

[charlie8575]

I have been under the impression that the first two years of Chevy small block V8's were painted red, not orange, with Chevy Engine Orange debuting in 1957, on the new 283 ('57 Chevy 265's were a bright lemon yellow that year, the last year for the 265), and then orange for the next 20yrs or so.

But perhaps I have been wrong about that?

Art

Hmmm...most of the restored '55s I've run across have orange engines. I checked Bill Hirsch, a major seller of engine enamel for the restoration market, and they recommend oragne for the '55, and then '57-up, with red for the '56. Check the drop-down menu here for the listings. Bill Hirsch Automotive

Of course, if you really wanted to throw people for a loop, you could paint it that weird chartreuse green color that the 1957 265s used. That one year, and that one color. From the few pictures I've seen, it's sort of a lime gold color. You could probably get yourself in the ballpark with Testors Pla Chromate, some gloss yellow, and maybe a tiny amount of gold (like whatever ends up on the toothpick you mix the paint with.)

Charlie Larkin

[David G.]

Thanks Guys!

I can always count on an abundance of information when I post a question here.

Autozone came up empty for Duplicolor Chevy Engine Red, so I wound up with Model Master Chevy Engine Red enamel in a jar from the LHS. I've used the Model Master Acrylic in a jar and found it far superior to the old "square-bottle" stuff. I hope the same holds true for their enamel. Though I am really beginning to develop a dislike for most enamel paints, I'll give this an open-minded try.

Since I've pretty much decided to swap the stock 255 ci single carb V-8 engine for a 348 tri-power I have left over from the '58 Impala kit, the Model Master C.E. Red should work out fine. But all these little tidbits of information aren't wasted. They lodge in the back of my brain where they wait for just the right moment to ambush me with thoughts like:

"Wait, didn't Chevy paint one of their engines green in 1957? Which one was that?"

Thanks everybody for the input!

David G.

[ChrisPflug]

As previously mentioned the low performance 265 was painted chartreuse

[charlie8575]

Hi, David.

I've used Acryl a couple of times and have found it to be an excellent paint. the coverage was good enough that you could get away without priming, too. Just use two coats, and it looks very good when dry.

Acryl, by the way, is the only paint line that offers a color that even comes close to the Buick engine green of the early V8 era (1953-66.) RLM 25 Hellgrun is almost dead-nuts perfect. There are a few other colors in the military line that could also be used for painting older engines, too.

Charlie Larkin

[philo426]

I use Testor's Model master Chevy Engine Red.Sure looks orange to me!